2019 Oceania Zonal Guam 17-24 Feb 2019

[Max Illingworth]

I observe that the first prize almost covers the flight there and back. Time to kickstart my Kickstarter fund.

[Becky]

Thanks Frank!

[Tony Dowden]

List of Zonal entries*

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth (2501), IM James Morris (2485), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova (2308), IM Irina Berezina (2109)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Edward Rains (1999), CM Paul Spiller (1908)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Guam, Fiji, Solomon Islands
TBA

I will be happy to continually improve and update this list [updated once with CM Leon Kempen (AUS) added]. FIDE ratings have been taken from the Dec 2018 list. Please send any new info to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

* Organiser Roger Orio advises that players from the above countries have been nominated, have entered or are expected to enter. Yes, traditionally one has entered when one had paid but given that a SWIFT/BIC number has not been provided for international transfer of funds and that cheques ('checks' in the USA) are virtually obsolete, it seems that the bar to entry into the Zonal is lower than one might normally expect (in my opinion only, this is not advice to rock up on the day and expect to enter!). For these reasons the definition of 'entry' is a broad one. Roger also suggests "most of the participants are likely to come from Guam", so in due course we can probably expect the Guam numbers to impress.

[MichaelBaron]

List of Zonal entries*

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth (2501), IM James Morris (2485), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova (2308), IM Irina Berezina (2109)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Edward Rains (1999), CM Paul Spiller (1908)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Guam, Fiji, Solomon Islands
TBA

I will be happy to continually improve and update this list [updated once with CM Leon Kempen (AUS) added]. FIDE ratings have been taken from the Dec 2018 list. Please send any new info to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

* Organiser Roger Orio advises that players from the above countries have been nominated, have entered or are expected to enter. Yes, traditionally one has entered when one had paid but given that a SWIFT/BIC number has not been provided for international transfer of funds and that cheques ('checks' in the USA) are virtually obsolete, it seems that the bar to entry into the Zonal is lower than one might normally expect (in my opinion only, this is not advice to rock up on the day and expect to enter!). For these reasons the definition of 'entry' is a broad one. Roger also suggests "most of the participants are likely to come from Guam", so in due course we can probably expect the Guam numbers to impress.

Hopefully, the nominated Players will not play each other in a round robin due to lack of numbers.
For now..it looks like Illingworth and Morris will not have any other ''opposition'' over 2050 .
If not so many entries will be received...may be it will send a clear message to the organisers . Or else, it will be Pallau/Guam open championship

[Becky]

Don't forget me please! (Rebecca Stones) (: I emailed Roger Orio.

[Tony Dowden]

Sure

[Tony Dowden]

List of Zonal entries - Updated Dec 2 (in bold)

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth (2501), IM James Morris (2485), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova (2308), IM Irina Berezina (2109), Rebecca Stones (1792)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Paul Spiller (1908)
Women: WFM Vyanla Punsalan (1952)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Guam, Fiji, Solomon Islands
TBA

I will be happy to continually update this list. FIDE ratings have been taken from the Dec 2018 list. Please send any new info to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

[antichrist]

Hopefully, the nominated Players will not play each other in a round robin due to lack of numbers.
For now..it looks like Illingworth and Morris will not have any other ''opposition'' over 2050 .
If not so many entries will be received...may be it will send a clear message to the organisers . Or else, it will be Pallau/Guam open championship

Most could be Filipino working there. They have brilliant players who are jobless at home.

[Tony Dowden]

List of Zonal entries - Updated Dec 4 (new names bolded)

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth (2501), IM James Morris (2485), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova (2308), IM Irina Berezina (2109), Rebecca Stones (1792)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Paul Spiller (1908)
Women: WFM Vyanla Punsalan (1952)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Solomon Islands
Open: Don Fakarii (unr), Anthony Maelasi (unr)

Guam, Fiji
TBA

I will be happy to continually update/correct this list. FIDE ratings have been taken from the Dec 2018 list. Please send any new info to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

[Tony Dowden]

List of Zonal entries - Updated Dec 5 (new names bolded)

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth (2501), IM James Morris (2485), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova (2308), IM Irina Berezina (2109), Rebecca Stones (1792)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Paul Spiller (1908)
Women: WFM Vyanla Punsalan (1952)

Guam
Open: CM Elmer Prudente (2015), Peter Mafnas (2011), Enofre D Manuel (1943), Rudolph P Soriano (1812), Elias Tirador (1804), CM Rogelio L Orio (1791), Malcolm Mcfarland (1781), Almer Santos (1665), Leon Ryan (1410), Benny Pinaula (1329)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Solomon Islands
Open: Don Fakarii (unr), Anthony Maelasi (unr)


I'm happy to continually update this list. FIDE ratings are from the Dec 2018 list. Please send any new info to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

[Tony Dowden]

List of Zonal entries - Updated Dec 8 (new names bolded)

Australia
Open: GM Max Illingworth* (2501), IM James Morris* (2485), Angelito Camer (2083), CM Leon Kempen (1889)
Women: WGM Julia Ryjanova* (2308), IM Irina Berezina* (2109), Rebecca Stones (1792)

New Zealand
Open: CM John Duneas* (2044), Tony Dowden (2044), CM Paul Spiller (1908)
Women: WFM Vyanla Punsalan* (1952)

Guam
Open: CM Elmer Prudente (2015), Peter Mafnas (2011), Enofre D Manuel (1943), Rudolph P Soriano (1812), Elias Tirador (1804), CM Rogelio L Orio (1791), Malcolm Mcfarland (1781), Almer Santos (1665), Radcliffe Paras (1653), Gefferson Batula (1569), Leon Ryan (1410), Benny Pinaula (1329), Gavino A. Estur (unr)
Women: Olga Szekely (1708), Grace C. Estur (unr)

Papua New Guinea
Open: FM Stuart Fancy* (1984), FM Shaun Press (1904)

Palau
Open: CM Cyril Moetel Jr (1877), Tito Cabunagan (1724), Paquito Springa Jr (1714), Roberto Hernandez (1708), Jeff Balbalosa (1694), Dennis Gonzales (1625), Gonzalo Escapatoria (1593), Remrel Dizon (1559), Eric Ksau Whipps (1336), Morton Sawaichi (unr)
Women: WFM Angie Parrado (1524), Bheng Mission (1436), Destiny Sisior (1432), Angelil Sisior (1414), Joan Gemota (1354)

Nauru
Open: David Dabuae (1707), Andrew Gadeanang (1707)
Women: Vandella Gadeanang (unr)

Solomon Islands
Open: Don Fakarii (unr), Anthony Maelasi (unr)


The asterisked players are the official nominees from the relevant federations. Please send any updates (including additional official nominees) to: Tony.Dowden(at)usq.edu.au - Thanks

[Kevin Bonham]

Thanks Tony for your fine efforts on these updates.

At present in the Open there could be quite a lot of not terribly highly rated players scoring 6/9 and bagging a direct FM title conditional on at some stage being/having been 2100+. Will be interesting to see if it stays that way or if the pointy end strengthens.

[Tony Dowden]

You are welcome KB but I'm actually only relaying info that Rogelio ('Roger') Orio from Guam is kindly feeding me.

You make an interesting observation about the possible proliferation of FM titles but I don't think that many of the current entrants are in your 'quite a lot' category. Although a number have touched 2100 in the past (Camer, Kempen, Duneas, Dowden, Spiller, Fancy, Press and maybe one or two others), it is questionable how many of these are capable of scoring 6/7 and obtaining an FM title (assuming they lose against Max and James). Moreover, another couple of entries by, say two strong 2300-ish FMs, would make it an extremely difficult ask. That said, I for one intend to give it a go!

[Kevin Bonham]

You make an interesting observation about the possible proliferation of FM titles but I don't think that many of the current entrants are in your 'quite a lot' category. Although a number have touched 2100 in the past (Camer, Kempen, Duneas, Dowden, Spiller, Fancy, Press and maybe one or two others), it is questionable how many of these are capable of scoring 6/7 and obtaining an FM title (assuming they lose against Max and James).

I'm not certain they'll necessarily play both Max and James - could be a path involving getting 5/8 then winning in round 9 having played only one of them. It will be interesting to see if it works like that should the field stay broadly like it is.

Interestingly both Fancy and Press are FMs already, but unlike most low-rated FMs in Oceania, they are Olympiad-FMs rather than Zonal-FMs.

[MichaelBaron]

I think all this could be expected when awarding the zonal to Guam....